It would be of much interest to you to know the best anime series ever made.

Moreover, the term “anime” is used to denote any animation that originates in Japan.

It has many aspects that differentiate it from Western-style animation.

For instance, the comedy anime is much more explicit in their humor.

Moreover, the anime produced in Japan can have adult themes and stories, whereas the Western “cartoons” are primarily aimed at children.

Further up, the Japanese anime is much exaggerated, fantasy-oriented, and have animated visuals.

Anime essentially refer to animated films or TV series.

In fact, Anime TV series began gathering a huge following outside Japan in the 1980s. Ever since then, anime has continued to entice and find huge audiences in the West.

For example, the anime shows such as Cowboy Bebop or Dragon Ball Z have found large audiences for budded versions in English speaking countries. Similarly, Pokémon is a massive hit in both the US and Japan.

Well, anime style has become immensely popular in the US influencing the style and aesthetics of American animation.

Shows such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Samurai Jack, and Afro Samurai have borrowed much from anime in pacing, design, as well as subject matter.

This list goes on to present the best anime of all time.

However, before we move on and show you this amazing list of best anime of all time, here’s a brief description of the term “anime.”

Is Anime meant for young kids?

Anime has a broad reach in the subject matter and so prove suitable for every age group.

Moreover, some titles are specifically meant for younger viewers like the animated series “Pokémon” while other titles are aimed at teenage audiences such as “InuYasha.”

There are even some anime that are meant for older teens like “Death Note.” For mature audiences, there are anime shows such as “Monster” and “Queens Blade.”

However, due to Japanese cultural attitudes for sexuality and violence, some titles have to be placed in a category higher than they would have in normal circumstances. For instance, nudity is handled much more casually in Japan.

So, anime distributors are rather conscious of these issues and go on to include MPAA rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) or even a TV Parental Guidelines rating for making it explicitly clear what the intended audience is for the anime show.

Now, let’s see the list of best anime of all time.

26 Best Anime Movies and Series

1. Akira (1988)

Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo

Akira is an iconic masterpiece of 1988. In fact, Akira has all the makings of an iconic film.

It offers superior animation and has visuals that are so classic that even a newcomer becomes intrigued by its semantic storytelling.

The trailer of 1988 Akira says, “Neo-Tokyo is about to explode.” Neo-Tokyo has been endangered after a secret military project makes a member of a biker gang into a psychopath having murderous tendencies and psychic abilities.

This itself is enough to get you interested.

Akira depicts a powerful nuclear allegory for the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks and brings about an urgent unease about the looming shadow of the cold war.

2. Metropolis (2001)

Director: Rintaro

Metropolis stands out as a wonderful blind interpretation of a classic piece of cinema.

In fact, the source material for this best anime movie has been derived from the 1927 science fiction classic by Fritz Lang with the same name.

Moreover, the 2001 animated version is a shoot up of a 1949 manga novel that is inspired by the author Osamu Tezuka’s childhood.

Metropolis is an adventure rooted in human relationships.

Tima which is a robot designed to rule the city goes missing. It is found wandering the slum-like streets at the bottom of the towering skyscrapers by Kenichi.

5. No Game No Life

It’s a brilliant anime, especially for gamers. No Game No Life is an anime series with a unique plot.

It materializes the concept of a fantasy world wherein everything has been governed by specific rules that one must follow all the time.

The two protagonists here are siblings that are named as Shiro and Sora, who have been violently transported to a different world being run by games.

It goes on to show how they adapt and develop a lifestyle so that they can survive in a world where games are no longer innocent and cool.

6. Steins; Gate (2011)

It is one of the greatest anime ever.

It is a perfect blend of comedy, romance, tragedy, sci-fi, and a little bit of action.

It featured an original premise and a well-crafted conclusion.

The plot is designed around time travel wherein a university student and his colleagues are required to use their knowledge for stopping an evil organization and their diabolical plans.

This thrilling anime series depicts the character of Mad Scientist which can easily become one of your favorites.

It is one of the best time travel anime ever made.

7. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

My Neighbor Totoro is one of the best works of Hayao Miyazaki. It’s a perfect family film that beautifully captures the essence of childhood down to its purest state.

This anime comes with beautiful settings, empathetic characters, and offers an infectious marching band theme.

It has been set in 1958 and follows university professor Tatsuo Kusakabe and his daughters Satsuki and Mei.

They move into an old house in the countryside to remain close to their mother who is recovering from a prolonged illness.

It shows the world through the girls’ eyes. This anime movie goes on to show the everyday magic of being a child. It depicts the beauty of meeting the world with an open heart.

8. One-Punch Man

One-Punch Man is a captivating anime that follows a hero who can end all his fights with a single punch. However, that gets him frustrated!

It beautifully captures how a superpower hero struggles to find a stronger enemy.

He struggles to feel the thrill as well as the adrenaline of the fights that he once felt when he was weak.

You need to see it yourself to know whether the training to become strong was not worth after all.

9. Redline (2009)

Director: Takeshi Koike

Redline is a critically acclaimed anime from one of the most talented animators of all time, Takeshi Koike. Redline is simply considered his opus which is also credited with directing projects such as Trava: Fist Planet, The Animatrix, and the Afro Samurai.

Redline is a stylistically bold high-octane racing adventure. It is truly a feast for the senses, a visual spectacle whose every frame is packed with meticulous, loving detail.

Redline is surely one of those anime films that come in the package of “must-see” for every anime lover.

10. Perfect Blue (1997)

Director: Satoshi Kon

Perfect Blue isn’t that anime with all space, disaster-futurism, and explosions. Instead, it’s a brooding hybrid of genres that goes on to tell a story that’s as human as it is supernatural.

In fact, the story was originally written as a live action movie. However, as financiers pulled out, it was reconceived as an animation.

Perfect Blue is a paranoid story about a retired pop star who makes a go for acting before falling prey to a deep invasion of privacy.

14. Fairy Tail

It’s an action/fantasy series that offers one hell of a powerful punch. It is full of fun characters and epic duels that feature all sorts of magic.

It’s an anime that Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia among others belong to.

Go on to watch them as they accomplish missions and help others and raise the rank of their former top guild.

Fairy Tail is a heart-warming and funny action series filled with friendship and honor as central themes.

15. One Piece

Produced by Toei Animation

One Piece has the status of being one of the most popular anime series out there.

It’s a swashbuckling adventure that goes on to feature duels with supernatural powers, fun characters, voyages, and tons of pirates.

In fact, One Piece is one of the most-watched action anime series. It goes on to fulfill any action craving that you have.

The storyline follows Luffy who is on a quest to find the lost treasure of former King of Pirates. He’s not alone, of course. In fact, every pirate is searching for it!

Luffy gathers a crew of ragtag teammates each having their dreams and goals.

16. Naruto

Produced by: Studio Pierrot

Naruto is undoubtedly the most famous anime internationally.

So, it rightly deserves a spot on this list.

Experience the many adventures as well as misadventures of Naruto, a knuckle-headed ninja. You are surely in for a fun viewing experience in this fantastic anime series Naruto.

Naruto was never a talented ninja until he discovers the hidden powers of the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him.

His other strong point is his bright personality and determination to be friends with everyone.

He nurtures the dream of becoming the leader of the Fire Village of ninjas. He also goes on to protect his friends from the countless evils.

So, there’s much in store for you at Naruto anime series.

17. Dragon Ball Z

Produced by Toei Animation

Dragon Ball Z is a must-watch show if you love the ‘80s vibes.

It features all the right kinds of cheese with amazing fight sequences, power up, and SUPER SAIYANS!

This anime goes on to portray the character of Son Gokuu that has been inspired by the Monkey King of the classic Chinese literature.

However, Son Gokuu has been shown as an alien, the last of the Saiyans. He now lives on Earth and protects the planet from various dangers that befall it, including dangers from other aliens and even gods.

18. Hunter x Hunter 2011

Hunter x Hunter is loaded with superb action has great characters and even scenes that are sure enough to pull your heartstrings.

Each of its episodes will make you laugh, cry, or bite your nails as you go on to watch its great action scenes.

Its storyline revolves around Gon who was raised by his aunt. He believed that he was an orphan for so long.

It happens that one day, Gon comes across a Hunter who tells him that his father Gin was alive and is a world famous hunter. Gon then decides to travel the world to find his dad.

19. Samurai Champloo

Produced by: Manglobe

Samurai Champloo is an amazing anime that takes you through some good, old-fashioned samurai swordsmanship.

It goes on to show two very skilled yet diagrammatically opposite samurais that are forced by circumstances to take on a quest together.

However, it’s not a series with the power of love and friendship. Its depicts Mugen and Jin who cross swords the first time they meet. Fuu is the young waitress of a teashop.

20. Code Geass

Produced by: Sunrise

Code Geass is a superb anime series that incorporates supernatural ability, action, as well as moral messages.

It’s an amazing action series done right.

Code Geass depicts that this world is ruled by three factions: the Holy Britannia Empire, the Chinese Federation, and the European Union.

Lelouch is the prince of Britannia Empire who made a vow to his childhood friend Suzaku to bring down the Empire. However, ultimately they end up being on opposite sides.

21. Gurren Lagann

Produced by: Gainax

Gurren Lagann is perhaps the most entertaining anime on this list. It is something that you should never miss to see.